In November of last year, the Karnataka cabinet revoked the previous BJP government's decision to grant approval for the CBI to prosecute Shivakumar, who also serves as the Congress state unit President, in a case related to disproportionate assets. The cabinet held the decision as deemed inconsistent with the law.
According to a senior Lokayukta officer, there are expectations within the Lokayukta police for the case to be transferred from the CBI to Lokayukta. However, the officer acknowledged that the CBI has challenged the state government's order to withdraw sanction in the Karnataka High Court.
"The Lokayukta is obliged to adhere to the orders of the state government. Based on the state government's directive, we have initiated a case. We await the court's decision regarding the potential transfer of the case to our jurisdiction," the officer informed PTI.
As of now, the officer clarified that there are no restrictions preventing Lokayukta from investigating the case, as the court has not imposed any limitations.
The officer said: “Without CBI transferring the case documents, there isn’t much we can do right now except some basic investigation. For some meaningful investigation to happen, we are waiting for the High Court order and we will act as per its directions."
In response, Shivakumar criticized the decision of the B S Yediyurappa-led BJP government to authorize the CBI investigation against him, labeling it as unjust.
“I haven’t done anything wrong. The then Advocate General (of Karnataka) had told me that my case cannot be assigned to the CBI. I have obtained those documents through the Right to Information (RTI) Act,” the Deputy CM claimed, as per the report.
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